Here at NaturallyCurly.com, we often talk about different hair types. Before stumbling upon our site, you may not have even known about different types of curls, but you do now!

Now that we’ve given you the information on your hair type, how about diagnosing the types of frizz you’re having? Different products and techniques work to control different types of frizz, so the first thing is figuring out your frizz type.

Surface Frizz

This type of frizz only occurs on the surface of the hair. That is, it’s on the outer layers of your hair, but not on the layers underneath. Almost any Curly has dealt with this type of frizz. If you live in a humid climate, you probably deal with this all the time since humidity can definitely “activate” surface frizz.

Poof Ball Frizz

As the name suggests, the poof ball frizz looks like a giant poof ball. Curls are nearly unrecognizable once they’ve reached this state. To be blunt, it looks like a hot mess.

Application Frizz

Spider Web Frizz

This type is very much like Fly-a-way Frizz, except it tends to linger around the top of the hair. Different strands of hair separate from one another, creating a “web” look on the surface of the hair. Causes for this type of frizz range from the wind to not enough hold. Additionally, Spider Web Frizz can be the result of a bad reaction to hair products.

Halo Frizz

Frizz that centers on the crown of your head.

In-The-Curls Frizz

Just like it sounds, this type of frizz occurs within the curls. In-The-Curls Frizz takes away from the smooth look of your curls. Some of your hair will look great while other parts are frizzy.

Frizzy Tubes

These types of curls are both good and bad. The good: they tend to prevent the rest of the hair from frizzing. The bad: they also prevent the rest of the hair from looking good. Usually curlies with spiral “tubes” (often our Type 3s) have this issue.

Frizz At The Ends

Just the opposite of Halo Frizz, this type of frizz occurs at the ends of the hair.

Product Frizz

This type of frizz is the direct result of product. You can usually see this on curls who have loads of envy-inducing shine. Not all curls with perfect shine have this issue, but for those who do, it detracts from the pleasant shine. Unfortunately, the products used to create shine often make Product Frizz more apparent.

Crimped Frizz

This type of frizz happens when individual pieces of hair have a sort of “crimped” look to them. It’s generally a result of suffocation, heat and humidity combined.

Dry Frizz

This type of frizzy hair is essentially bone dry. It both feels and looks extremely dry.

Fluffy Frizz

This is very similar to Poof ball Frizz. The difference is that where Poof ball Frizzy hair is together in one massive poof, Fluffy Frizz means your hair has separated into individual poofs. It’s generally the result of a lack of moisture.

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

Frizz Solutions for All Textures

Now that you’ve pinpointed the type(s) of frizz you’re experiencing, what can you do about it? Since all types of curls have, undoubtedly, experienced one or more of the different types of frizz, it’s hard to say which products will work best for specific types of frizz. There are too many variables to consider.

Are you a type 2 with Poof ball Frizz? Perhaps you’re a type 3 with a mixture of Fly-a-way Frizz and In-The-Ends Frizz? Or maybe you’re a type 4 with In-The-Ends Frizz? Thankfully, there are products that tend to work best for certain hair types.

Type 2: Wavy

Curl Junkie’s Curls in a Bottle ALWAYS gets amazing reviews from all types of curlies, many of whom are 2s and 2/3 combos. Coffee-Coco’s Curl Creme Lite is another great choice for type 2s who tend to have finer hair that cannot tolerate anything that will weigh it down. In addition to adding moisture (a major cause of frizz), this product will kill the frizzes and give your hair some definition.

Type 4: Coily

Carol’s Daughter’s Hair Milk Curl Perfecting Shampoo is a great choice for type 4s who often have a lot of product buildup. This shampoo gets great reviews from our type 4s who need something to break through dirt and product while, at the same time, controlling frizz. You can combine this with their Macadamia Heat Protection Gloss, which will strengthen the hair and leave it soft while keeping the frizzies under control. Remember that Type 4 hair tends to be naturally frizzy and that is no indication of health, especially if you do not have natural curl definition. These tips are more applicable for tighter textures that do have curl definition, which can be observed while the hair is wet.